Johnny Manziel 'ready for any circumstances'

INDIANAPOLIS – Former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine that he is “ready for any circumstances,” including playing for the Browns.

INDIANAPOLIS – Since the end of the 2013 college football season, former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has gained a pretty good working knowledge of what might await him if he winds up being drafted by the Cleveland Browns.

The possibility of playing in bad weather? Being the latest entrant in the Browns’ revolving door quarterback derby?

No problem.

Manziel arrived at the NFL Combine’s media interviews ready to silence any doubters that he’s serious about shedding his free-spirit image and proving he’s the best quarterback available in this year’s draft.

“Johnny Manziel is a guy who’s from the small, small town of Kerrville, Texas; 20,000 people,” he said to a large gathering of reporters. “People make me out to be a big Hollywood guy. But this is still a small town kid. Sometimes you get caught up in certain things. But at the same time, continuing to learn and continuing to adapt to everything that’s going on in my life.

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“It’s been a long process. Not just a short road to get here (to the combine). I hung in on some things but at the same time I’m just enjoying the process. Whatever happens is really meant to be and out of my control.”

Manziel readily admits that he wouldn’t mind staying at home and playing for the Houston Texans. Houston has the first pick in the 2014 draft.

“I think it would be extremely cool (to be selected by the Texans),” he said. “Being a Texas guy, born and raised in Texas, them having the first pick means a lot to me.”

But he’s quick to add that he’d be just as happy to play for any team in the NFL that is willing to give him the opportunity to lead their franchise.

That includes Cleveland and its unpredictable weather.

“I’m ready for any circumstances and situations that may come my way,” Manziel said. “That’s part of being a quarterback. You have to handle it either way, whether it’s cold weather, rain. No matter where you are, teams still play in the cold.

“It’s football. It’s a man’s game. It’s played in the snow. It’s played in the wet weather. It’s played in all environments.”

The Browns, with a new coaching staff in place, are in the market for a new quarterback. It would seem to be a perfect situation for a young player who wants to get plenty of plays time early.

“Whatever team I do end up (with), any of the 32 teams In the NFL, each one of those guys is a now a teammate, one of my brothers, I’m on the field with those guys. Whatever it takes to be try and be successful, to try and get a victory, is what I’m going to do,” he said. “I’m going to do anything for that team, for that organization. To try and be great, try and be the best football player I can be. That”s what I want more than anything.”